System and method for provisioning virtual circuit orders on an asynchronous transfer mode subnetwork

ABSTRACT

A storage structure includes a plurality of sequentially arranged positions, each position for holding one order at a time. One of the positions is an end position from which an order is to be taken up for provisioning. Each order in a position moves to the next sequential position toward the end position, as the next sequential position becomes empty and available. The positions are organized into a first section and a second section. The first section is distal from the end position and includes at least one position. The first section receives orders from a first order delivery system into a receiving position. The second section is proximate to the end position and includes at least one position. The second section receives orders from a second order delivery system into a receiving position. If the second section cannot receive an order from the second order delivery system due to the receiving position thereof already holding an order, a pre-determined interval is observed prior to attempting to again receive the order. The pre-determined interval is selected to allow enough orders in the storage structure to be taken up and to allow the receiving position of the second section to become empty.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of orderprovisioning. More particularly, the present invention relates to asystem and method for provisioning virtual circuit orders on atelecommunications network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Today, many telecommunications users desire virtual circuits (VC) toallow high speed telecommunications. In particular, many Internet usersdesire digital subscriber loop access and multiplexing (DSLAM) circuitsand asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) circuit to obtain high-speedInternet access. A DSLAM circuit connects a user to a communicationsnetwork at a high speed data rate with digital communications.Typically, the DSLAM circuit physically extends between the user and atelephone network office near the user. An ATM circuit connects theDSLAM circuit with the network service provider over an ATM subnetwork.The circuit between the user and the network service provider isreferred to as a VC and may be leased or reserved for the user forseveral hours, several days, or even several years.

Orders for VCs currently fall into two types, a bulk order and anindividual order. A bulk order is an order that typically has beenplaced in advance but is not provisioned until the time the VC isdesired. Typically, all bulk orders that are to be provisioned on aparticular day are in fact provisioned on such day in a batch process,usually once a day. An individual order is an order that is typicallyplaced at the same time the user desires the VC. An individual ordermay, for example, be taken over the phone or by way of a network such asthe Internet and is immediately placed into a provisioning systemthrough a graphical user interface (GUI) order entry system and may bereferred to as GUI order.

In batch provisioning of bulk orders, each order for a VC is provisionedsequentially, one after the other, for example, beginning at aconvenient time of the day (for example, midnight). However, andimportantly, if too many bulk orders are placed in a batch forprovisioning, or if a problem occurs in provisioning orders, orders atthe end of the batch may not be processed for several hours, and may infact still await provisioning at a less convenient time of the day (forexample, during business hours). In such an instance, an individual/GUIorder may be submitted for provisioning, but it may have to wait for alloutstanding bulk orders to complete provisioning before such GUI ordercan be provisioned. Such wait may take an unacceptably long time,especially for an individual who desires to have his/her orderprovisioned within a relatively short period of time, such as anindividual waiting on the aforementioned phone or waiting for a responseover the aforementioned network.

Therefore, a need exists for a system and method for provisioning bulkorders and individual orders, wherein individual orders are provisionedrelatively quickly, even if bulk orders from a batch still awaitprovisioning.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is directed to systems and methods forprovisioning individual orders before the end of the batch provisioning,and minimizing bulk order timeouts. A two-section ‘drop-down’ bufferimplements the provisioning flow control of both individual orders andbulk orders on a telecommunications network.

According to an aspect of the invention, a storage structure is providedfor use in provisioning orders for virtual circuits (VCs). The storagestructure includes a plurality of sequentially arranged positions, eachposition for holding one order at a time. One of the positions is an endposition from which an order is to be taken up for provisioning. Eachorder in a position moves to the next sequential position toward the endposition, as the next sequential position becomes empty and available.The positions are organized into a first section and a second section.The first section is distal from the end position and includes at leastone position. The first section receives orders from a first orderdelivery system into a receiving position. The second section isproximate to the end position and includes at least one position. Thesecond section receives orders from a second order delivery system intoa receiving position. If the second section cannot receive an order fromthe second order delivery system due to the receiving position thereofalready holding an order, a pre-determined interval is observed prior toattempting to again receive the order. The pre-determined interval isselected to allow enough orders in the storage structure to be taken upand to allow the receiving position of the second section to becomeempty.

Preferably, the invention is implemented on a telecommunicationsnetwork. More preferably, the invention is implemented on an elementmanagement system, including individual orders and bulk orders for VCson a telecommunications network. However, it is contemplated the presentinvention could be implemented on any order provisioning systemcontaining both individual orders and bulk orders.

The above-listed features of the present invention will be more fullyset forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is further described in the detailed descriptionthat follows, by reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way ofnon-limiting examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention,in which like references numerals represent similar elements throughoutthe several views of the drawings, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary telecommunications network;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary drop-down buffer in accordanceone embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of showing methods performed in the course ofoperating the buffer in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to systems and methods forprovisioning VC order requests on a telecommunications network. However,the present invention may be implemented with respect to any orderprovisioning system containing both bulk and individual order requestsor the like in the manner discussed above without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention.

Telecommunications Network

Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary telecommunications network 1 isshown in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Asseen, the telecommunications network 1 includes customer premisesequipment (CPE) 10, a digital subscriber loop access and multiplexing(DSLAM) switch 20, an ATM subnetwork 30, a network service provider(NSP) 40, a network management system (NMS) 50, a GUI order entry system70, a bulk order entry system 71, and several element management systems(EMS) 60 a, 60 b, at least one for each of the DSLAM device 20 and theATM subnetwork 30.

CPE 10 may be any appropriate equipment, including but not limited to atelephone, a computer, a local area network, or a wide area network, forexample. CPE 10 is connected to and communicates with a DSLAM 20 over adigital subscriber loop (DSL) 15. DSL 15 is a high speed digital datalink allowing CPE 10 to access other devices within thetelecommunications network 1.

DSL 15 may for example be an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Loop (ADSL),although any particular DSL technology may be employed without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. DSL is generally known tothe relevant public and therefore need not be described herein in anydetail.

At the DSLAM 20, which is typically at the aforementioned telephonenetwork office, a DSLAM circuit 21 couples to the DSL 15 and facilitatesan end to end connection between the NSP 40 and the CPE 10. The DSLAM 20and the DSLAM circuit 21 are generally know to the relevant public andtherefore need not be described herein in any detail. Accordingly, suchDSLAM 20 and DSLAM circuit 21 may be any particular DSLAM 20 and DSLAMcircuit 21 without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

The DSLAM circuit 21 communicates with the ATM subnetwork 30 over a datalink 25. Such ATM subnetwork 30 is an emerging packet switching networkthat couples the DSLAM circuit 21 and the NSP 40. The ATM subnetwork 30implements an ATM circuit 31 for communication between the NSP 40 andthe CPE 10. The ATM circuit 31 is coupled to data link 35 to facilitateconnection to the NSP 40. As with the DSLAM 20 and DSLAM circuit 21, thedata links 25, 35, the ATM subnetwork 30 and ATM circuit 31 aregenerally known or should be apparent to the relevant public andtherefore need not be described herein in any detail. Thus, such datalinks 25, 35, ATM subnetwork 30 and ATM circuit 31 may be any particulardata links 25, 35, ATM subnetwork 30 and ATM circuit 31 withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The NSP 40 provides access to a predetermined network such as theInternet. Once again, the NSP 40 is generally known to the relevantpublic and therefore need not be described herein in any detail. Thus,such NSP 40 may be any particular NSP 40 without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention.

A VC is the entire circuit from the CPE 10 to the NSP 40 and allows theuser at the CPE 10 to communicate, at high speed, to the NSP 40. The VCincludes DSL 15, DSLAM circuit 21, data link 25, ATM circuit 31, anddata link 35.

In order to implement a VC for a particular customer, the NetworkManagement System (NMS) 50 receives VC orders from the GUI order entrysystem 70 and also from the bulk order entry system 71. GUI order entrysystem 70 may be any appropriate system for entering GUI orders, forexample, a computer or Internet website. Bulk order entry system 71likewise may be any appropriate system for entering bulk orders, forexample, a computer or Internet web site.

An individual order as received by the NMS 50 from GUI order entrysystem 70 is typically provisioned immediately or at least in a matterof minutes. Bulk orders as received by the NMS 50 from the bulk ordersystem 71 are received at various times, but are not provisioned until apredetermined batch provisioning time, as discussed above. Such batchprovisioning causes many bulk orders to be continuously provisioned oneafter another. Still again, the NMS 50 is generally known to therelevant public and therefore need not be described herein in anydetail. Thus, such NMS 50 may be any particular NMS 50 without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the NMS 50 is connected to element managementsystems (EMSs) 60 a and 60 b, and communicates with such EMSs 60 a and60 b over data links 55. EMS 60 b is connected to and communicates withthe ATM subnetwork 30 over data link 65. EMS 60 a is connected to andcommunicates with DSLAM 20 over data link 66. For each order as receivedby the NMS 50, be it individual or bulk, EMS 60 b requests an ATMcircuit 31 from the ATM subnetwork 30 in connection with such order,where the requested ATM circuit 31 is thereafter indefinitely dedicatedto the CPE 10 of such order. Likewise, for each order received by theNMS 50, be it individual or bulk, EMS 60 a requests a DSLAM circuit 21from the DSLAM 20 in connection with such order, where the requested ATMcircuit 31 is thereafter indefinitely dedicated to the CPE 10 of suchorder.

While one EMS 60 a, 60 b is shown for each of the DSLAM 20 and ATMsubnetwork 30, it is to be recognized that multiple EMSs 60 a, 60 b maybe provided for each element 20, 30 without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention, each receiving orders from one ormore NMSs 50. Again the EMSs 60 a, 60 b, are generally know to therelevant public and therefore need not be described herein in anydetail. Thus, such EMSs 60 a, 60 b may be any particular EMSs 60 a, 60 bwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Thus, and as should be appreciated, each order received and provisionedat the NMS 50 is converted to an order for a DSLAM circuit 21 to behandled by a corresponding EMS 60 a and to an order for an ATM circuit31 to be handled by a corresponding EMS 60 b. The EMSs 60 a and 60 bprovision the respective orders, and then reply to the NMS 50. The NMS50 and the EMSs 60 a, 60 b thus effectuate establishment of a continuouscircuit between the CPE 10 and the NSP 40. To batch provision bulkorders, NMS 50 may send many bulk orders to the EMSs 60 a and 60 b.Typically, though, bulk orders are held at the NMS 50 until thepredetermined batch provisioning time.

As was discussed above, in batch provisioning of bulk and individual/GUIorders, each order for a VC is provisioned sequentially, one after theother. Accordingly, if many bulk orders are submitted for and awaitingprovisioning, a later-submitted GUI order must wait until all the bulkorders submitted before the GUI order are provisioned. Such wait maytake an unacceptably long time, especially for an individual who desiresto have his/her order provisioned within a few minutes.

To alleviate such situation, and in one embodiment of the presentinvention, each EMS 60 a, 60 b is provided ith a so-called ‘drop-down’buffer designed to receive orders. Alternatively, a ‘drop-down’ buffermay be included in one of either EMS 60 a or EMS 60 b. In particular,each drop-down buffer is designed to allow GUI orders to be provisionedrelatively quickly, even if several bulk orders still await provisioningby the EMS 60 a, 60 b.

Drop-down Buffer

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary drop-down buffer 100 in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention. The exemplary drop-downbuffer 100 is included in or coupled to each EMS 60 a, 60 b, or moregenerally, any order provisioning system 130, and thus assists inprovisioning a VC in a telecommunications network 1 by metering ordersto the EMS 60 a, 60 b or provisioning system 130. As may be appreciated,the drop-down buffer 100 and EMS 60 a, 60 b or provisioning system 130may all reside on a computer 140 (shown), or may reside on separatecomputers 140, where each computer 140 may be any appropriate computer140 without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the drop-down buffer includes a first section 110and a second section 120. Second section 120 includes a first position100 a, also referred to as an on-deck position, and a second position100 b. The first section 110 includes a third position 100 c and afourth position 100 d. The positions with the first section 110 and thesecond section 120 are sequential. Importantly, in the drop down buffer100, an order in the first or on-deck position 100 a is next up or‘on-deck’ for provisioning by the corresponding EMS 60 a, 60 b, and theon-deck position 100 a becomes empty when the on-deck order is taken upby such EMS 60 a, 60 b. Also importantly, an order in an (n+1)thposition moves or ‘drops down’ to an (n)th position whenever such (n)thposition opens up.

Thus, if orders are in all four positions 100 a-100 d, and the on-deckorder in the first position 100 a is taken up, the order in the secondposition 100 b drops down to the first position 100 a to become theon-deck order, the order in the third position 100 c drops down to thesecond position 100 b, and the order in the fourth position 100 d dropsdown to the third positions 100 c. Similarly, if an order is receivedinto the fourth position 100 d of the buffer 100, an order is in thefirst position 100 a, and the second and third positions 100 b, 100 care empty, such received order immediately drops down to the secondposition 100 b. Note that although each of the first and second sections110, and 120 is shown having two positions, each section 110, 120 mayinclude any number of positions greater than or equal to one, and eachsection 110, 120 may have a differing number of positions, all withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In the exemplary drop-down buffer 100 shown, first section 110 isadapted to receive GUI orders from the GUI order entry system 70 intothe fourth position 100 d, assuming such fourth position 100 d is empty.For example, the GUI order entry system 70 may request that thedrop-down buffer 100 receive a GUI order. If the fourth position 100 dis empty (that is, if there are less than four orders already in thedrop-down buffer 100), the drop-down buffer 100 receives the order intothe fourth position 100 d and allows the received order to drop downtoward the on-deck position 100 a, space permitting. If the fourthposition 100 d contains an order (that is, if there are four ordersalready in the buffer 100), the drop-down buffer 100 informs the GUIorder entry system 70 that it cannot accept the order. The GUI orderentry system retries until the fourth position 100 d is empty and thuscan receive the GUI order.

Also, in the exemplary drop-down buffer 100 shown, second section 120 isadapted to receive orders from the bulk order entry system 71 into thesecond position 100 b, assuming such second position is empty. Forexample, the bulk order entry system 71 may request that the drop-downbuffer 100 receive a bulk order. If the second position 100 b is empty(that is, if there are less than two orders already in the buffer 100),the drop-down buffer 100 receives the order into the second position 100b and allows the received order to drop down towards the on-deckposition, space permitting. If the second position 100 b contains anorder (that is, if there are two or more orders already in the buffer),the drop-down buffer 100 informs the bulk order entry system 71 that itcannot accept the order. The bulk order entry system 71 then waits for apre-determined wait interval (e.g., 20 seconds) before again requestingthat the drop-down buffer 100 receive the bulk order at the secondposition 100 b.

Importantly, the wait interval is selected to effectively give any GUIorders present in the buffer 100 a sufficient amount of time to becleared out of such buffer 100. Thus, the wait interval effectivelygives such GUI orders in the buffer 100 a higher priority than a bulkorder seeking admittance to the buffer, and such GUI orders thus neednot wait for all bulk orders to provisioned. Preferably, if the secondposition 100 b is filled, and GUI orders are present in the thirdposition 100 c or third and fourth positions 100 c, 100 d, the waitinterval is long enough to allow a GUI order if present in the fourthposition 100 d to drop down to the first position 100 a based on thethree orders beneath being retrieved by the corresponding EMS 60 a, 60 bfor provisioning during such wait interval. Of course, during the waitinterval it is possible that additional GUI orders will be received intothe first section 110.

At any rate, after the wait interval, the bulk order entry system 71again requests that the drop-down buffer 100 receive the bulk order, andif the second position 100 b is empty, the drop-down buffer 100 receivesthe order into the second position 100 b and allows the received orderto drop down to the on-deck position 100 a, space permitting. If thesecond position 100 b still contains an order after the wait interval,the drop-down buffer 100 informs the bulk order entry system 71 that itcannot accept the order, and the bulk order entry system 71 again waitsthe pre-determined wait interval before again requesting that thedrop-down buffer receive the bulk order at the second position 100 b. Asmay be appreciated, several cycles of wait intervals may be necessarybefore the bulk order is accepted, especially if many GUI orders arebeing received by the drop-down buffer 100 at the same time. Preferably,the end of the predetermined wait interval is determined by a timer 72(FIG. 2).

As shown in FIG. 2, an order waiting in the first or on-deck position100 a is eventually communicated to an order provisioning system 130(i.e., an EMS 60 a, 60 b). The process of communicating such order isgenerally known or should be apparent to the relevant public andtherefore need not be described herein in any detail. Generally, anyprocess for communicating the order may be employed without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, theorder provisioning system 130 may request an order from the drop-downbuffer 100, or alternatively, the drop-down buffer may request that theorder provisioning system receive an order.

In either case, the order provisioning system 130 receives an order fromthe buffer 100 and provisions the order to the DSLAM 20, the ATMsubnetwork 30, or otherwise, as the case may be. Thereafter, the orderprovisioning system 130 is ready to provision the next order from thebuffer 100 (in the on-deck position 100 a), and the process continuesanew.

As shown in FIG. 2, the computer 140 may include a controller 101. Thecontroller 101 monitors the drop-down buffer 100 and provides theintelligence for the drop-down buffer 100 to coordinate with the GUIorder entry system 70, the bulk order entry system 71, and the orderprovisioning system 130. For example, controller 101 may monitor thepositions of the drop-down buffer 100 to determine if the position isempty or if the position holds an order. The controller 101 maycoordinate the “dropping down” of orders to the next sequentialposition. The controller 101 may coordinate the receipt of orders fromthe GUI order entry system 70 and the bulk order entry system 71,placing orders in empty positions, rather than positions alreadyincluding orders. The controller may coordinate the sending of orders tothe order provisioning system 130, the taking of an order from theon-deck position and/or the sending of the order to the orderprovisioning system 130. As may be appreciated, the functionality ofsuch controller 101 may alternately be included within the drop-downbuffer 100, the GUI order entry system 70, the bulk order entry system71, and/or the order provisioning system 130. Such controller 101 andthe functionality thereof is generally known or should be apparent tothe relevant public and therefore need not be disclosed herein in anyfurther detail.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of the present invention.As shown in FIG. 3, the method begins at step 200 and includes a processfor receiving a first (individual) order 201, a process for receiving asecond (bulk) order 202, a process for moving orders to the nextsequential position 203, and a process for sending orders to an orderreceiving system 204.

The process for receiving a first order 201 includes attempting toreceive an (individual) order from the first order entry system 70 asshown in FIG. 1 into the drop down buffer 100 as shown in FIG. 2, asshown at step 210. A request that the drop-down buffer 100 receive theorder is made, and at step 215, the drop-down buffer 100 determines ifthe fourth position 100 d of the first section 110 is empty. As shown instep 220, if empty, the drop-down buffer 100 receives the order intosuch fourth position 100 d. If not empty, the drop-down buffer 100 againattempts to receive the order perhaps after a short period of time, asshown in step 210.

Optionally, at step 211, a predetermined wait interval is set on process202, receiving a second order. In this manner, the process for receivinga second order 202 waits a predetermined interval before attempting toreceive an order from the second order delivery system. Step 211 may beincluded alternatively or additionally to step 240, which is describedin more detail below.

The process for receiving a second order 202 includes attempting toreceive an (bulk) order from the second order entry system 71 as shownin FIG. 1 into the drop down buffer 100 as shown in FIG. 2), as shown atstep 230. A request that the drop-down buffer 100 receive the order ismade, and at step 235, the drop-down buffer 100 determines if the secondposition 100 b of the second section 120 is empty. As shown in step 250,if empty, the drop-down buffer 100 receives the order into the suchsecond position 100 b. If not empty, the drop-down buffer 100 waits fora predetermined interval, as shown in step 240. Preferably, thepredetermined interval is selected so that orders in the first sectioncan be provisioned before returning to step 230.

The process for moving orders to the next sequential position 203includes moving orders toward the next sequential position towards theend position, shown at step 260. An order in an (n+1)th position movesor ‘drops down’ to an (n)th position whenever such (n)th position opensup, as was discussed above.

The process for sending an order to the order receiving system 204includes sending an order to the order provisioning system at step 270.The order provisioning system 130 may request an order from thedrop-down buffer 100 when available to receive and provision an order,or alternatively, the drop-down buffer 100 may request that the orderprovisioning system 130 receive an order when there is an order in theend position 100 a of the drop-down buffer 100. At step 280, thedrop-down buffer 100 waits. The drop-down buffer 100 may wait untilthere is another order in the end position 100 a or the drop-down buffer100 may wait until the order provisioning system 130 requests anotherorder. After completion of step 280, the drop-down buffer 100 returns tostep 270 and again attempts to send an order to the order provisioningsystem 130.

In order to control the drop-down buffer 100, such buffer 100 may beprovided with an appropriate controller (not shown). The details of suchcontroller are generally known or should be apparent to the relevantpublic and therefore need not be discussed herein in any detail.Accordingly, any appropriate controller may be employed withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited toprovisioning orders on a DSLAM 20 or an ATM subnetwork 30. Instead, thepresent invention may apply to provisioning any orders on any orderprovisioning system that includes both individual/GUI orders or the likeand bulk orders or the like, wherein each individual order is to begiven the opportunity to be provisioned ahead of waiting bulk orders.

The present invention may be embodied in the form of appropriatecomputer software or in the form of appropriate hardware or acombination of appropriate hardware and software without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention. Further details regardingsuch hardware and/or software should be apparent to the relevant public.Accordingly, further descriptions of such hardware and/or softwareherein are not believed to be necessary.

In the present invention, a system and method are provided to provisionbulk orders and individual orders, wherein individual orders areprovisioned relatively quickly, even if bulk orders from a batch stillawait provisioning. It is to be understood that the foregoing exampleshave been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in noway to be construed as limiting of the present invention. While theinvention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, itis understood that the words which have been used herein are words ofdescription and illustration, rather than words of limitations. Further,although the invention has been described herein with reference toparticular structure, materials and/or embodiments, the invention is notintended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein. Rather, theinvention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods anduses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilledin the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification,may effect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be madewithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in itsaspects.

1-37. (canceled)
 38. A computer-readable medium havingcomputer-executable instructions for performing a method forprovisioning orders received from a first order entry system and asecond order entry system, the method employing a storage structureimplemented on a computer for buffering orders to be provisioned, thestorage structure comprising a plurality of sequentially arrangedpositions, each position for holding one order at a time, one of thepositions being an end position from which an order therein is to betaken up for provisioning, each order in a position being moved to thenext sequential position toward the end position as such next sequentialposition becomes empty and available, the positions being organizedinto: a first section distal from the end position and including atleast one position, and a second section proximate to the end positionand including at least one position, the method comprising: receivingorders from the first order delivery system into a receiving one of thepositions of the first section; receiving orders from a second orderdelivery system into a receiving one of the positions of the secondsection; applying a predetermined time interval if one of either thesecond section cannot receive an order from the second order deliverysystem due to the receiving position thereof already holding an orderand attempting to receive an order from the first order deliver system;and attempting to again receive the order after applying thepre-determined time interval.
 39. The computer-readable medium of claim38, wherein the method step of applying a pre-determined intervalcomprises selecting a pre-determined interval time to allow enoughorders in the storage structure to be taken up such that the receivingposition of the second section becomes empty.
 40. The computer-readablemedium of claim 38, further comprising the method step of entering andforwarding an individual order into the first order delivery system, theindividual order to be provisioned upon forwarding.
 41. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 38, further comprising the method stepof entering and forwarding a bulk order into the second order deliverysystem, the bulk order to be provisioned along with other bulk orders ina batch process.
 42. The computer-readable medium of claim 38, furthercomprising the method step of entering and forwarding a bulk order intothe first order delivery system, the bulk order to be provisioned alongwith other bulk orders in a batch process.
 43. The computer-readablemedium of claim 38, further comprising the method step of entering andforwarding an individual order into the second order delivery system,the individual order to be provisioned upon forwarding.
 44. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 38, further comprising the method stepof taking up an order from the end position into an order provisioningsystem for provisioning of the order.
 45. The computer-readable mediumof claim 44, wherein the method step of taking up an order from the endposition into an order provisioning system for provisioning of the orderfurther comprises taking up an order from the end position into an orderprovisioning system, the order provisioning system being an elementmanagement system.
 46. The computer-readable medium of claim 44, whereinthe method step of taking up an order from the end position into anorder provisioning system for provisioning of the order furthercomprises taking up an order from the end position into an orderprovisioning system, the order provisioning system being an elementmanagement system for provisioning an asynchronous transfer mode circuiton a asynchronous transfer mode subnetwork.
 47. The computer-readablemedium of claim 44, wherein the method step of taking up an order fromthe end position into an order provisioning system for provisioning ofthe order further comprises taking up an order from the end positioninto an order provisioning system, the order provisioning system beingan element management system for provisioning a digital subscriber andmultiplexing (DSLAM) circuit on a DSLAM switch.
 48. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 38, wherein the method step ofapplying a predetermined time interval if the second section cannotreceive an order from the second order delivery system due to thereceiving position thereof already holding an order further comprisesapplying a predetermined time interval governed by a timer if the secondsection cannot receive an order from the second order delivery systemdue to the receiving position thereof already holding an order.
 49. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 38, further comprising the method stepof moving each order in a position to the next sequential positiontoward the end position as such next sequential position becomes emptyand available.
 50. A computer-readable medium having computer-executableinstructions for performing a method of provisioning orders from a stackof positions that receive and hold orders, the method comprising:receiving an order from a first order delivery system into a receivingposition of a first section of the stack of positions, the first sectionbeing a distal end of the stack; receiving an order from a second orderdelivery system into a receiving position of the second section of thestack of positions, the first section being a proximal end of the stack;applying a predetermined time interval if the second section cannotreceive an additional order from the second order delivery system due tothe receiving position thereof already holding an order; and attemptingto again receive the additional order from the second order deliverysystem or the additional order from the first order delivery systemafter applying the pre-determined time interval; wherein each positionfor receiving and holding orders holds one order at a time, one of thepositions of the second section being an end position from which anorder therein is to be taken up for provisioning, each order in aposition being moved to the next sequential position in the stack towardthe end position such that a next sequential position becomes empty andavailable.
 51. The computer-readable medium of claim 50, wherein themethod step of applying a pre-determined interval comprises selecting apre-determined interval time to allow enough orders in the stack to betaken up such that the receiving position of the second section becomesempty.
 52. The computer-readable medium of claim 50, wherein the methodstep of applying a pre-determined interval comprises selecting apre-determined interval time to allow enough orders in the stack to betaken up such that an order entry in the receiving position of the firstsection is one of moved into the end position and taken up forprovisioning.
 53. The computer-readable medium of claim 50, furthercomprising the method step of entering and forwarding an individualorder into the first order delivery system, the individual order to beprovisioned upon forwarding.
 54. The computer-readable medium of claim50, wherein the method step of receiving an order from a first orderdelivery system into a receiving position of a first section of thestack of positions comprises receiving an order from a user interfacewhich is placed into a receiving position of the stack of the firstsection of the stack of positions.
 55. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 50, wherein the method step of receiving an order from a secondorder delivery system into a receiving position of the second section ofthe stack of positions comprises receiving an order from a bulk orderdelivery system which is placed into a receiving position of the stackof the second section of the stack of positions.